Toledo, OH was our next area to explore. We stopped at the Libbey Glass Outlet and the Museum of Art Glass where we enjoyed the exhibit of ancient glass and sampes of art glass from other countries. After lunch we went to Maumee, OH where we toured the Wolcott House Museum. The house was built by James Wolcott, an early settler, landowner, merchant, steamboat owner and civic leader. His wife Mary was the granddaughter of Miami Chief Little Turtle and daughter of a frontier scout, William WElls who served under Gen. Antony Wayne. It was built in 1835 and features black walnut woodwork, antebellu furnishings and family heirlooms.
Also on the property are a log house (1850), a salt-box house built in 1841, the Box Schoolhouse built in 1850 in Lucas Co., the Clover Leaf Depor (1888) and the Monclova County Church in 1901.
On Friday we went to the National Museum of the Great Lakes in Toledo and were amazed at the amount of information that was available. We spent 3 hours in the museum and could have spent another 2-3 hours exloring an ore ship that was the biggest ship on the Great Lakes at the time it was built.
Since we were camping in Monroe, Michigan we spent Saturday exploring the Monroe area. One of the newest National Historic Battlefields is the Raisin River battlefield of 1812. It was the bloodiest battle in the War of 1812. There were over 900 American soldiers in the battle, and only 30 survived. At the time the town of Monroe was called Frenchtown.
After lunch we went to the Monroe museum where we learned that George and Libby Custer were from Monroe and when George wasn't on campaigns, he and Libby lived in Monroe. After his death she returned to Monroe. We also learned that Monroe is the Corporate home of LazyBoy furniture and that Monroe shocks were invented here.
Sunday it was on to Elkhart, Indiana.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
New York, New York September 9 - 16, 2014
From Bennington we drove to the little town of Windsor, NY to a campground in the mountains. Because we were in a valley at the Lakeside Campground and had no cell phone service! We were told if we went up the "hill" and held the phone above our heads, we could get phone service...but I never figured out how I could talk if I was holding it above my head! The owners of the campground were delightful people.
We drove the 25 miles or so into Binghamton, NY to visit the Forum of Performing Arts to see information about the home town success, Rod Serling (Twilight Zone). Unfortunately the display had been taken down as the Forum was undergoing a facelift. Not to be deterred, we visited the Roberson Mansion and Museum.
Wednesday we went bck into Binghamton and did some shopping at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, a short drive from Binghamton. By the time we had explored the mall, we drove back into Binghamton, as the Phelps Mansion should be open for tours. We had an extremely knowledgable tour guide whose knowledge of Binghamton history was extensive. Our 45 minute tour extended into two HOURS! The Phelp's Mansion was the home of Sherman D. Phelps and was built in 1871 and has beautiful woodwork, period fixtures, and marble floors.
On our way back to camp we drove into Windsor and stopped at the train store......we now have 5 passenger cars for Jack's train layout. Great store!
Saturday we traveled west to Dewitteville KOA on the Chatauqua Lake. On Sunday we drove into Jamestown and enjoyed everything Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. Lucy was born in Jamestown and we drove past her home there, her Grandfather's home in Celoron, and her gravesite. We went down memory lane in the Desilou Studio Museum which included film clips of I Love Lucy, her Emmy's, and replica of the NY apartment set and the California Hotel set. Next door was a museum on the personal lives of Lucy and Desi and included costumes, family pictures, and more film clips. Great fun!
Monday we visited the Robert Jackson Institute in Jamestown. Robert Jackson had been a small town lawyer in Jamestown until he met FDR and did extensive campaigning for FDR. As a result of his support, Roosevelt called him to Washington DC as Assistant Attorney General, then Attorney General and then the Supreme Court. Under Truman he was appointed the chief U. S. Counsel for the military trials at Nuremberg. He was the Chief American prosecuter for the International Military Tribual. The Institute today hosts conferences on the Constitution and Law.
We drove the 25 miles or so into Binghamton, NY to visit the Forum of Performing Arts to see information about the home town success, Rod Serling (Twilight Zone). Unfortunately the display had been taken down as the Forum was undergoing a facelift. Not to be deterred, we visited the Roberson Mansion and Museum.
Wednesday we went bck into Binghamton and did some shopping at the Oakdale Mall in Johnson City, a short drive from Binghamton. By the time we had explored the mall, we drove back into Binghamton, as the Phelps Mansion should be open for tours. We had an extremely knowledgable tour guide whose knowledge of Binghamton history was extensive. Our 45 minute tour extended into two HOURS! The Phelp's Mansion was the home of Sherman D. Phelps and was built in 1871 and has beautiful woodwork, period fixtures, and marble floors.
On our way back to camp we drove into Windsor and stopped at the train store......we now have 5 passenger cars for Jack's train layout. Great store!
Saturday we traveled west to Dewitteville KOA on the Chatauqua Lake. On Sunday we drove into Jamestown and enjoyed everything Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez. Lucy was born in Jamestown and we drove past her home there, her Grandfather's home in Celoron, and her gravesite. We went down memory lane in the Desilou Studio Museum which included film clips of I Love Lucy, her Emmy's, and replica of the NY apartment set and the California Hotel set. Next door was a museum on the personal lives of Lucy and Desi and included costumes, family pictures, and more film clips. Great fun!
Monday we visited the Robert Jackson Institute in Jamestown. Robert Jackson had been a small town lawyer in Jamestown until he met FDR and did extensive campaigning for FDR. As a result of his support, Roosevelt called him to Washington DC as Assistant Attorney General, then Attorney General and then the Supreme Court. Under Truman he was appointed the chief U. S. Counsel for the military trials at Nuremberg. He was the Chief American prosecuter for the International Military Tribual. The Institute today hosts conferences on the Constitution and Law.
Bennington, VT
September 4, 2014 we moved the trailer down Hwy 7 to Bennington and the beautiful Pine Hollow camp ground. The next morning we headed out to do some serious sightseeing. Our first stop was at the Robert Frost Stone House Museum in South Shaftsbury, Vermont where he wrote "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening" in 1920. The exhibits are educational and literary, featuring Frost's life and poetry. They made you feel that you had met him and his family. From So. Shaftsbury we drove north to the Sugar Shack outside Arlington, VT. Norman Rockwell and his family lived there for many years before moving to Stockbridge, MA. The Sugar Shack has a vast collections of Rockwell prints and souvenirs of many types. We had seen this collection several years prior and at that time met a woman who had posed for Rockwell. While we were there this time, we met the niece of that same woman who was visiting with her husband from South Carolina!
After lunch we visited the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306 foot spire that dominates the Bennington skyline. On our way back to camp we stopped at the Old First Church in Old Bennington where Robert Frost is buried.
After lunch we visited the Bennington Battle Monument, a 306 foot spire that dominates the Bennington skyline. On our way back to camp we stopped at the Old First Church in Old Bennington where Robert Frost is buried.
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| Jean at the entrance to the Stone House Museum |
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| In front of the Stone House |
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| At the Bennington Battle Monument |
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| With a friend at the Monument |
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| The Old First Church |
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
White River Junction and Randolph Center, VT
We were pleasantly surprised when we rolled into the Pine Valley/Queechee KOA. Talk about a friendly welcome! The work staff was outside to greet us, and check in was fast and efficient. I think in the time we were there we NEVER saw a work camper who wasn't smiling. Our site was level, and we enjoyed staying with them. In fact, if we could have extended through Labor Day weekend, we would have!
Our first morning in the area we headed for Queechee Gorge, which is considered the "Grand Canyon" of Vermont. We stopped at the visitor's center and got information on hiking trails and opted to take one that would take us to a dam and pond. Unfortunately the trail, while well maintained, was heavily wooded, and we could not see anything until we arrived at the dam and pond. When we exited the Gorge we went up to the highway observation area where we could see the Gorge!
From the Gorge we drove to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock, VT. We had a tour of a 1960 fallout shelter that was outfitted with cots, food, water, etc. Unfortunately there were many questions as to who would be allowed in, was there enough water, food, etc. for at least a 2-week stay for 80 people. After the tour of the fallout shelter we visited the Billings-Rockefeller mansion for a tour. The mansion was built in 1805-1807 for Charles Marsh, Sr. the father of George Perkins Marsh. Mr Marsh served seral terms in Congress and was an American diplomat. He wrote a book called MAN AND NATURE which gave an analysis of our impact on nature and his plea for responsible land stewardship. In 1869 the Marsh home was bought by the Billings family. Mr. Billings farmed and he developed one of the nations' first programs of scientific forest management so that the barren hills of VT which were stripped clean of trees to provide pasture of sheep could be reforested. Billings granddaughter, Mary French, married Laurance Rockefeller in 1934, hence the name Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller. Mr. Rockefeller helped make conservation and outdoor recreation an essential part of the national agenda. They gifted this land and Mansion to the National Park Service.
On Wednesday, 8/27 we drove to the President Calvin Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth Notch, VT. The site contains the little town much the way it existed as it was in 1923 when he became President. The Coolidge Homestead, general store, and Summer White House office are open to the public, as are the nearby operating cheese factory (started by Coolidge's father and other farmers), the church where he worshipped, the house where Coolidge was born, barns and several other buildings. A short distance away is the cemetery where Coolidge is buried with seven generations of his family. His grave has a simple granite marker, identical to all his ancestors. The only evidence of his Presidency is that there are two small American flags beside the stone. Coolidge was VP and was visiting his father in Plymouth Notch when word came that Warren Harding had died. In the middle of the night, standing by the light of a kerosene lamp in the family Homestead, Coolidge was sworn in as paresident by his father, the local notary public. His summer white house consisted of 3 tables in the dance hall above the general store.
Thursday we drove to Norwich, VT to tour the King Arthur Flour Company. Since it had a cafe and boasted of fresh pastries and desserts, I had my heart set on a piece of pie....no such luck. I had to settle for a chocolate chip cookie instead. Probably much better for my weight than the pie.
Friday we moved north on I-89 to the little town of Randolph Center, where we camped at the Lake Champagne campground over the Labor Day weekend. Our neighbor had a 1975 Airstream, and I really liked his little Jack Russel Terrier, Sophie. Friday afternoon we went into Randolph and checked out the town. Treated ourselves to ice cream before heading back to camp.
Saturday was spent in Montpelier, the state capitol. We toured the State House and visited the State History Museum - very well done!
Sunday we drove South on I-89 to Sharon and then on to Stafford, VT. The purpose was to visit the home of U.S. Sen. Justin Smith Morrill. The Morrill family owned the house until 1938, and the 17 room house contains original Morrill family furnishings. Sen. Morrill was the chief sponsor of the 1862 and 1890 Land Grant College Acts. These were the most important pieces of legislation for American higher education in the 19th century. For the first time American working class, women and minorities had the opportunity to attend college in practical subjects such as engineering, agriculture, and the sciences. Of note: North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T are the land grant schools in NC.
On Labor Day we headed back to Shelburne, VT for 3 days before heading into Bennington, VT.
Our first morning in the area we headed for Queechee Gorge, which is considered the "Grand Canyon" of Vermont. We stopped at the visitor's center and got information on hiking trails and opted to take one that would take us to a dam and pond. Unfortunately the trail, while well maintained, was heavily wooded, and we could not see anything until we arrived at the dam and pond. When we exited the Gorge we went up to the highway observation area where we could see the Gorge!
From the Gorge we drove to the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park in Woodstock, VT. We had a tour of a 1960 fallout shelter that was outfitted with cots, food, water, etc. Unfortunately there were many questions as to who would be allowed in, was there enough water, food, etc. for at least a 2-week stay for 80 people. After the tour of the fallout shelter we visited the Billings-Rockefeller mansion for a tour. The mansion was built in 1805-1807 for Charles Marsh, Sr. the father of George Perkins Marsh. Mr Marsh served seral terms in Congress and was an American diplomat. He wrote a book called MAN AND NATURE which gave an analysis of our impact on nature and his plea for responsible land stewardship. In 1869 the Marsh home was bought by the Billings family. Mr. Billings farmed and he developed one of the nations' first programs of scientific forest management so that the barren hills of VT which were stripped clean of trees to provide pasture of sheep could be reforested. Billings granddaughter, Mary French, married Laurance Rockefeller in 1934, hence the name Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller. Mr. Rockefeller helped make conservation and outdoor recreation an essential part of the national agenda. They gifted this land and Mansion to the National Park Service.
On Wednesday, 8/27 we drove to the President Calvin Coolidge birthplace in Plymouth Notch, VT. The site contains the little town much the way it existed as it was in 1923 when he became President. The Coolidge Homestead, general store, and Summer White House office are open to the public, as are the nearby operating cheese factory (started by Coolidge's father and other farmers), the church where he worshipped, the house where Coolidge was born, barns and several other buildings. A short distance away is the cemetery where Coolidge is buried with seven generations of his family. His grave has a simple granite marker, identical to all his ancestors. The only evidence of his Presidency is that there are two small American flags beside the stone. Coolidge was VP and was visiting his father in Plymouth Notch when word came that Warren Harding had died. In the middle of the night, standing by the light of a kerosene lamp in the family Homestead, Coolidge was sworn in as paresident by his father, the local notary public. His summer white house consisted of 3 tables in the dance hall above the general store.
Thursday we drove to Norwich, VT to tour the King Arthur Flour Company. Since it had a cafe and boasted of fresh pastries and desserts, I had my heart set on a piece of pie....no such luck. I had to settle for a chocolate chip cookie instead. Probably much better for my weight than the pie.
Friday we moved north on I-89 to the little town of Randolph Center, where we camped at the Lake Champagne campground over the Labor Day weekend. Our neighbor had a 1975 Airstream, and I really liked his little Jack Russel Terrier, Sophie. Friday afternoon we went into Randolph and checked out the town. Treated ourselves to ice cream before heading back to camp.
Saturday was spent in Montpelier, the state capitol. We toured the State House and visited the State History Museum - very well done!
Sunday we drove South on I-89 to Sharon and then on to Stafford, VT. The purpose was to visit the home of U.S. Sen. Justin Smith Morrill. The Morrill family owned the house until 1938, and the 17 room house contains original Morrill family furnishings. Sen. Morrill was the chief sponsor of the 1862 and 1890 Land Grant College Acts. These were the most important pieces of legislation for American higher education in the 19th century. For the first time American working class, women and minorities had the opportunity to attend college in practical subjects such as engineering, agriculture, and the sciences. Of note: North Carolina State University and North Carolina A & T are the land grant schools in NC.
On Labor Day we headed back to Shelburne, VT for 3 days before heading into Bennington, VT.
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